Herpes Virus and Chronic Constipation

READER QUESTION: “I have had perfect digestion and good diet, and perfect bowel movements 98% of the time, until sudden constipation over the last month, which has caused problems including (I believe) a fistula or fissures that affect the vaginal wall. I just read a recent Yale University study that found the herpes virus can rarely cause constipation, and can deaden the nerves in the colon. This seems to make sense, since I was just diagnosed with the herpes virus when this started (after 6 years of marriage, didn’t know I had it, but my husband’s first wife had the mouth sores, so I guess it makes sense).. So, the outbreak could be connected to the unexplained constipation which persists most days no matter what I eat – hard & painful BM’s that cause injury, and things just don’t want to move along when they should. So my question is…. will your elemental diet with the oregano oil be enough to get clear up virus in colon? Should I add a special kind of enema with raw vinegar or something to kill it? Any other ideas for this specific problem? There are others that I’ve found on a blog, with herpes and chronic constipation, that will not go away no matter what advice they follow (Besides Senna Tea which is habit forming).”

JINI SAYS: I can tell you that I also carry the herpes virus (stats show 67% of people under age 50 are infected) and it breaks out on my lips and nose. I did an intensive Jini’s Wild Oregano Oil Protocol for over 2 years (cycling on and off to kill MAP) so I’m going to surmise that, no, that isn’t sufficient to kill herpes.

However, I have found that L-lysine is extremely effective at preventing or healing a cold sore eruption. I take 500 mg/day during high stress or low sleep times for prevention. And then I take 1,000 mg if I have an outbreak. Thus far, I’ve only had outbreaks when I’ve forgotten to take the 500 mg during stress! I just open the capsule and take it with a packet of Emergen-C (as I can’t swallow pills) – perhaps the Vitamin C potentizes the L-lysine?

Some people take up to 3 grams per day of L-Lysine (3 doses of 1000 mg each) but it’s not recommended to go higher than that, or to stay on a high dosage for longer than a year without a break. My experience – if you’re holistically managing stress, sleep, good diet, exercise – is there’s no need to use such a high dosage. It’s much better to treat issues holistically, rather than looking for one ‘magic bullet’.

If the nerves are actually dead, then I don’t know of a therapy that can regenerate those nerves… laser therapy is the only thing that comes to mind, but not sure how you’d access the location!

I would think your best hope would be guided visualization, relying on the body’s wisdom. So then you would use this audio to lead into what you feel you should visualize (trust your body and whatever images/ideas come as your body knows what it needs).

And make sure that you’ve also investigated holistic treatment for constipation (<– yes, click that link!). Perhaps the herpes virus is the triggering event, or it may have been the ‘final straw’, but it is likely not the whole picture. So first step is to figure out which type of constipation you have: Stenosis or Peristaltic Constipation – as the treatment is different for each.

Jini
This was an informative and sensitive piece. Just to say L-lysine IS very effective…I agree; that and Vit C as soon as you experience a sleepless night and or stressful days for whatever reason. Thank you – It was good to hear again.

Oh my goodness. Where have you all been all my life! I came across the site today after searching for different kinds of constipation, because I had a sense there would be different categories. I, too, over the years, have come to associate a herpes-constipation issue. No matter what I eat, or how much water I drink, I am constantly constipated (peristalsis type), AND I have almost constant outbreaks around the genital area that have been ongoing for 30 years. The outbreaks are usually mild, but they occur 1-2 times a month. The idea of the virus having destroyed colonic nerves is fascinating.

I am the original poster with a 9 month update. After 6 months, I was pretty much healed as far as fissures go, however the weakening of the recto-vaginal wall (called rectocele) I believe is permanent, so the hubby and I just have to be a little more careful these days.

I would like to share what has helped the most. Jini’s homemade suppository recipe for anal fissures helped for sure, and prevented infection. The Oregano oil rub she recommended to help heal the vagina worked similarly well. The shakes helped to keep my BM’s soft, combined with a very careful diet. I continue to use coconut oil with a little oregano for a personal lubricant when needed. L-lysine may have helped the healing process, as it sure healed my chapped lips!

The one thing that I did not find on this website was a natural stool softener that I really liked. (Can’t drink smoothies forever!) I finally found Dr. Christopher’s Lower Bowel herbal formula, and it makes me feel back to normal – like once a day normal. Love it! Other options can be habit forming: Smooth Move tea works great, except when it makes me sick. Aloe Lax works when I drink enough. Jini’s healing enema’s helped when I needed a quick solution, using a small bulb enema. But, if I had been using the Lower Bowel formula all this time, I would not have had to try all the other options to get things moving.

Another thing I’d like to mention is that a douche of raw cider vinegar and water seems to prevent herpes outbreaks And, if anything can kill the herpes virus, I believe that Oregano would be key, as well as grapefruit seed extract. I use the douches less now, and haven’t had an outbreak since the 6 month mark, perhaps since I no longer have an open fissures for the virus to get into the blood stream? That’s my theory.

A little dietary advice: Stay away from bread unless it is real bread, like Ezekiel Bread (sprouted) or homemade whole grain sourdough bread, made with homemade yeast so the grains are properly fermented. Modern bread is not easy to digest (causes allergies) and can plug you up! I definitely get worse when I eat it. Rely on tons of fruits and veggies, legumes and all things wholesome, natural, and in moderation.

I can’t say thank you enough for this website which was a real life saver when I was in a jam (literally)! I hope my experience can help others as well.

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